Aurora's POV:

Okay so, I might have drastically underestimated how long we would be in line for when I said it was an hour long wait. It was more like three hours! So either we were early or my high levels of anxiety were kicking in as the anticipation of meeting my father built up deeper and deeper in my gut which in turn made time seem like it moved so much slower. I hadn't really taken notice to the constant tapping of my left foot or the twirling of large strands of hair until just now. Noticing how nervous I was only made me more nervous. Great.. When will this show start?

"God will they ever let us in or is it some sort of hoax?" I whined as I rubbed the dripping beads of sweat from my forehead with the sleeve of my flanno. My consistent whining only earned a chuckle from Trent and a sympathetic look from Sab. They'd been to shows like this before. You know lining up for hours, standing in a crowd of sweat, enduring the pushing and shoving. I've been to a million shows because of Mike but I was always backstage without the rush of the crowd. This was my first real show as a fan, I was practically a rookie and the stuff I was complaining about was normal for the two of them.

Apparently I had spoke too soon when the overwhelming screams of under aged teenage girls swirled around my very existence. The horrible noise, in which Sab contributed to, meant only two possible things. One, they somehow spotted one of the numerous band members whom occupied the venue right now or the gates were open. Finally, hopefully, my fingers were crossed. The quick but crowded movements of the line moving forward meant it was the second option. Thank heavens my crossed fingers worked for once in my life, with the heat of the burning sun on my back, my nerves and my abnormally beating heart I don't think I could take the stress of crazy fangirls just right now.

Trent's hand was automatically at the small of my back as he guided me down towards the front of the messy line as the fans all bunched further in a sweaty mess of bodies fighting angrily to make it to the front. I had no doubt in my mind that both Sab and Trent would love to be front and centre of the stage but I couldn't risk it, not tonight. If anyone, especially Mike, saw me it'd ruin my plans to get to Austin completely and I already got this far. I'd love to say I felt invincible, that because I'd make it this far nothing could stop me from meeting him but I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that everything that could go wrong would go wrong.

"Babe here's your ticket, just give it to that guy in the blue shirt to scan," Trent's voice was a barely audible whisper at the nape of my neck sending chills down my spine. It was funny how just the sound of his voice could calm even the heaviest flutter of butterflies in my stomach. My nerves just seemed to disappear.

I did as Trent said and not much longer after I'd passed through the gates myself Trent and Sab followed right behind me. We were standing in the middle of the Ekka show grounds with small food stands scatted in every corner and next to each of them were merch tents. As I stared in admiration I realised I must have looked so stupid taking in all of this glorious moment but I didn't care. The feeling of being free made me feel whole, the people that surrounded me in the show grounds, though I'd never met them, were my people. The atmosphere was so overwhelming, this was nothing like sitting side stage, it was ten times better.

"Come on if you want a good spot we'd better head into the tent, you can pick up a shirt after the show," Sab's small, cold hand was wrapped around my wrist dragging me towards the gigantic white tent that must have been the cover over the stage.

I was right, as we entered the sweltering hot tent it immediately darkened, the light of the sun was replaced by the light of spotlights hovering about the massive stage. There was no air-conditioning, no seats, no luxury. I don't know how long I'd be able to stand for when there was three or four bands playing throughout the night. I took in a large breath of what was probably my last chance at getting any clean air for the next few hours before venturing into the crowd with the two people I trusted to get me through this night.

"I can't wait until it's me up on that stage playing for all these people," it was clear that I wasn't the only one admiring the out of this world atmosphere when Trent started daydreaming as he peered hopefully at the stage. I bet he could see himself up there right now, guitar in hand, mic right in front of his feet as he played and sung his heart out to his fans. I'd be watching from side stage of course.

"Please, you and your 'band' can't even make it through one whole practice without packing up early," Sab put air quotations around the word band with her fingers as she mocked him. I shot her a quick glare warning her not to make fun of him but she just laughed and shrugged it off as she turned back to face the stage.

"You never told me your band name babe?" I leaned into his side as I looked up at him waiting for a response.

"Huh? Oh yeah, it's The Amity Affliction I'm lead vocals," he was still in a daydream as he gloated proudly so I didn't push the conversation much further but made a mental note to bring up the conversation again at a later date. I was curious about the name.

***

Let me tell you if Sabrina had have told me I had to stand in line outside in the heat for three hours and then spend another hour squished next to sweaty, scary guys smoking all the weed in the world before a band even thought of starting the show I most likely would have told her that her idea was crazy and that I wouldn't have gone along with it. I have a feeling she left out these very important details for this exact reason.

Gosh Mum would go insane if she knew I was around people her were smoking dope. It's probably not the best for my heart but it's not affecting me so I suppose it's no main concern. Plus I know it must be very hard for Trent not to join the rest of the people around him and have a cone but he's too respectful of me.

What seemed like another hour passed, listening to shitty dubstep music over the speakers when finally, the radio music stopped and the lights turned out. My heart rate quickened and the adrenaline kicked in. Someone was coming out, finally. The wait was finally over the start to the rest of my life was beginning right now. The back pain from standing all afternoon somehow disappeared and the fear of the weed affecting my condition escaped my mind and all my nerves ran away somewhere far away as the intro to a very familiar song started playing.

That very moment was when Uncle Hime-Time ran out with his bass and Mike followed slowly behind as he plonked onto his stool and pulled out his drumsticks from his back pockets. No doubt they were his lucky sticks with all my scribbles on them from years ago. I remember he was so angry when he found his favourite pair of drum sticks in a pile of my Barbie dolls covered in sharpie pen but now he refuses to use anything but.

The fond memory brought a smile to my pursed lips. I couldn't stay mad at Mike forever, I did love him and no matter how much I tried to deny it he was my Dad, Mum was right all along and all this time Mike was just trying to protect me from the kind of hurt that Uncle Alan bought upon me just last week. Austin never cared when Mike did, that's why I'm here today, to show Austin what he missed out on all these years. I reminded myself of all the wasted time spent crying because my 'daddy wasn't at my drum recital' or because 'daddy never saw me score a goal' when all along my Dad was there, Mike.

Tony soon ran out and in his footsteps was Vic. The screaming pounded in my eardrums and the elbows flung into my side as the crowd got rowdy at the site of the guys. I gasped for air but not loud enough to worry Trent. Sab was jumping up and down in front of me and as I tried to look back at the stage I couldn't help but notice the backs of peoples heads. I was too short. Damn, I seemed to be the only one with this problem, damn Sab and her giraffe like height.

"Babe put me on your shoulders?" I had to yell at Trent for him to hear me over the chorus of 'King For A Day'.

"Are you sure?" I nodded at his question so I didn't have to yell once more.

"Please," not another word and he bent down allowing me to climb up onto the back of his shoulders and get a firm grip. He swiftly stood back up like my weight was nothing to him at all.

Up here it was a breath of fresh air, no drugs, no sweat and thankfully there was no one rubbing up against me or almost punching me in the face. I could see everything from up here. The guitars wires all over the stage. The techs running secretly onto the stage to adjust chords or fix amps, Unlce Oli standing side stage as he watched PTV's set. I could see everything.

Including Austin Carlile who stood right next to Uncle Oli. Unfortunately for me, I'd been spotted and Uncle Oli was already missing from the spot he once stood in.

Fuck.

Notes

NEXT CHAPTER GUYS! OMG IT'S COMING! IT'S SO CLOSE! WILL OLI TELL ON RORY? GHGIGKJGHRTKG! WHAT ABOUT RORY'S HEART? OMG DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!